I wasn't on the Sasha fandom until I saw her skate this program at Nationals (saw it live) it was mesmerizing. I was so sad that she didn't skate it as well at the Olympics, but she fought for herself and that silver medal.

I kind of know what you mean. I love a lot of her programs but I think the more I've learned about what good skating is, the more I feel like certain aspects of her skating were overrated, particularly her skating skills. She was frequently on two feet and did not use edges as much as she could have; her spiral sequences were typically in diagonal straight lines. However, from the ankles up she was spectacular and knew how to sell a program better than anyone.

I wasn't on the Sasha fandom until I saw her skate this program at Nationals (saw it live) it was mesmerizing. I was so sad that she didn't skate it as well at the Olympics, but she fought for herself and that silver medal.

Her Nationals program would also not have won the Olympics. She stepped out of two jumps. She would have had to go totally clean with all 7 triples to beat Shizuka.

I kind of know what you mean. I love a lot of her programs but I think the more I've learned about what good skating is, the more I feel like certain aspects of her skating were overrated, particularly her skating skills. She was frequently on two feet and did not use edges as much as she could have; her spiral sequences were typically in diagonal straight lines. However, from the ankles up she was spectacular and knew how to sell a program better than anyone.

She had her weaknesses but she was still a special skater. Great lines and positions, great spins and spirals, and felt the music beautiful. Her jumps weren't her strength, but they were impressive in a way too. The quick snappy rotational qualities Dick Button spoke about had an explosiveness and impression to them, when she landed them that is. She may not have a gold title but she was still a memorable skater. How much pleasure a skater gives to viewers isn't all about titles. Think of a team like Totmianina & Marinin who won many titles and deserved them but are not memorable. Sadly I fear Voloszhar & Trankov are going along the same path, unless in the years after Sochi and with the relief of the Olympic Gold behind them they branch out more.

I was in the arena the night of her short. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mgTEXcTbis
I still consider this one of the greatest shorts of all time. Sasha was doing something no one has tried sence. She was a true ballerina. She could hit every beat with her moves. In a combo spin each change of position popped to the music. It gave her extra electricity. Many skaters try to look balletic but Sasha was balletic. I think this added musicality made it harder for her to skate clean.

Originally Posted by LiamForeman

I was rewatching Torino, and I have to admit I find Cohen's LP a gem. She misses the pick on her two opening jumps, and then, when anyone in their right mind would just phone the rest in and call it a day, SHE DELIVERS. And wins Silver. I have so much respect for her. This is an Olympic performance. You know how hard it had to have been to miss the first two jumps, jumps she had landed consistently for 8 years. An Olympic champion in spirit. Great job, Sasha/Alex.

She had her weaknesses but she was still a special skater. Great lines and positions, great spins and spirals, and felt the music beautiful. Her jumps weren't her strength, but they were impressive in a way too. The quick snappy rotational qualities Dick Button spoke about had an explosiveness and impression to them, when she landed them that is. She may not have a gold title but she was still a memorable skater. How much pleasure a skater gives to viewers isn't all about titles. Think of a team like Totmianina & Marinin who won many titles and deserved them but are not memorable. Sadly I fear Voloszhar & Trankov are going along the same path, unless in the years after Sochi and with the relief of the Olympic Gold behind them they branch out more.

Really? T/M aren't memorable? I'm pretty sure Tatiana would consider 2004 SA to be memorable. I'm also pretty sure that their 2005 world title mere months after she slammed 8ft onto her head is memorable.

It's been painful for me to watch Sasha's 2006 Olympic LP more than a few times. It's been some years actually since I last watched it. She really was a fighter that night. I do love watching her Olympic SP at those Games. She looked like a champion that night and that's how I prefer to remember her. Her LP really was a thing of beauty after her mistakes though. Heart of a champion. I'm happy the judges rewarded her with an Olympic silver medal. I'll always say it was well-deserved in spite of the early mistakes in the program.

She had her weaknesses but she was still a special skater. Great lines and positions, great spins and spirals, and felt the music beautiful. Her jumps weren't her strength, but they were impressive in a way too. The quick snappy rotational qualities Dick Button spoke about had an explosiveness and impression to them, when she landed them that is. She may not have a gold title but she was still a memorable skater. How much pleasure a skater gives to viewers isn't all about titles. Think of a team like Totmianina & Marinin who won many titles and deserved them but are not memorable. Sadly I fear Voloszhar & Trankov are going along the same path, unless in the years after Sochi and with the relief of the Olympic Gold behind them they branch out more.

I agree about Sasha. Her ankles-down skills weren't great, especially when compared to Michelle, but her other attributes were grand. She always added something special to the music and the performance, and I am glad to be her fan.

I agree about Sasha. Her ankles-down skills weren't great, especially when compared to Michelle, but her other attributes were grand. She always added something special to the music and the performance, and I am glad to be her fan.

I miss both Sasha and Michelle. They had beautiful lines and musicality. Nowadays none of the ladies is close to them in these aspects.